Volume : 12, Issue : 8, AUG 2026

AN AUDIT OF CLINICOPATHOLOGIC FINDINGS AND TREATMENT OF FIBROADENOMAS AT THE NCRTH

DR. NASIO A. NASIO

Abstract

Background: Fibroadenomas (FAs) are common benign breast pathologies. They present in women as palpable masses of varying sizes where they present as a highly mobile and difficult to pin down rubbery mass under the breast skin, they often cause serious distress to the patients who often confuse them for malignant breast cancer.

Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was done where data was collected at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital (NCRTH) on women who presented with a discrete lump/s clinically thought to be FAs from March 2025 for a year. Data was collected using researcher-administered structured questionnaires. Descriptive patient demographic data, clinical presentation data, investigations and treatments offered were captured. These data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Fifty six patients were reviewed within the study period. Their mean age was 25 years (range 14-59 years) with 94.6% of the patients being of age under forty. They presented with lumps that were more common in the left breast 60% while in 10% of the patients the lumps were present in both breasts. Further, more than half of the masses were located in the upper outer quadrants of the breasts. The mean lump diameter was 3 cm (range 1-9cm). Fifty nine percent ( n=33) of these  patients also presented with breast pain. Other symptoms included a sensation of breast heaviness and breast discomfort which were cyclical with menstrual cycles. The investigations of choice for these patients was a breast ultrasound 94.6%  (n=53) and a mammograph in 1.7% of the patient with most lesions reported as Birads 2 and confirmed by FNAC. The patients were treated by surgical excisions in 32% (n=18), the rest underwent watchful waiting/ surveillance after adequate counselling.

Conclusions: Fibroadenomas are common in the young female population. A multidisciplinary approach is vital for accurate diagnosis and management through triple assessment. Though not currently practiced there’s need to incorporate newer  modalities of diagnosis including genetic testing and immunohistochemistry while incorporating minimally invasive surgery options for patients in our set up.

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IESRJ

International Educational Scientific Research Journal

E-ISSN: 2455-295X

International Indexed Journal | Multi-Disciplinary Refereed Research Journal

ISSN: 2455-295X

Peer-Reviewed Journal - Equivalent to UGC Approved Journal

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Article No : 2

Number of Downloads : 20

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